“Solid” Not Enough On Lovie’s Edge
March 2nd, 2014
Lovie Smith laid down strong words last week when he said his necessary, double-digit pass rusher is not yet on the Bucs roster.
Now, via a quote to TampaBay.com, Lovie drops what appears to be a different kind of hammer on the high hopes of Adrian Clayborn.
Beat writer Rick Stroud delivered the message via his chat with Lovie in Indianapolis.
“Clayborn has been a good, solid player. But solid gets us 4-12. We have to be better at those positions. We’ve got to get more guys that can run and hit,” [Lovie said.] “I know that’s generic. But that’s the game, and it’s true. That’s what we’re going to do is to keep upgrading our roster. We’re not there.”
Joe’s starting to wonder whether the Bucs might seek a trade of Clayborn if they can secure what they’re seeking in free agency. Clayborn is in the final year of his rookie deal. If Clayborn has another “solid” season (Lovie’s adjective) or better as a rotational defensive end, then the Bucs would be forced to shell out quality cash to keep Clayborn, which they’re unlikely to do for a backup.
Perhaps the Bucs could fetch a fourth-round pick for Clayborn? Joe can’t imagine a bigger bounty with Clayborn only being signed through 2014. Again, Joe’s not advocating a trade now, but if Lovie is insistent on landing a better starter to replace Clayborn, then the Bucs can probably make a smarter call on a backup.
Stroud also shared a stat that highlighted the Bucs’ anemic pass rush last year.
According to sportscharts.com, the Bucs recorded sacks on 6.01 percent of the plays in which their opponent tried to pass in 2013. That was 22nd in the league. The league average was 6.67, and seven of the top 10 teams made the playoffs:
It’s no surprise that those numbers look ugly. Lovie’s simply not going to sit back and hope for improvement with the current crew.
March 2nd, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Disappointed in him and Bowers. Potential Busts.
March 2nd, 2014 at 1:35 pm
Clean house Lovie!
March 2nd, 2014 at 1:38 pm
I don’t get Bowers and Claiborne. You get a new HC and know full well you have not played up to your potential or expectations. You would think these two would spend the entire off season training like mad men to be better for the 2014 season. Last year Bowers came in OVERWEIGHT. I give them 1-2 pre-seasons game and if there is not noticeable improvement….cut them.
March 2nd, 2014 at 1:41 pm
Maybe THAT’S who the Broncos and Pats are in the phone about. Clay would be be a better fit in both places. He’s just not a true 4-3 DE.
March 2nd, 2014 at 1:46 pm
I could see sending them both off for picks. Having draft pick ammo going in allows for licht to move around a little. That is what belichick disciples do, that what I hope licht is planning on.
Either way, those two des are worth little on the team. Trade thm….if you can.
March 2nd, 2014 at 1:48 pm
At this point, I think Light would take a 5th round for Clayborn with a conditional pick next year based on play. The Front Office has been telling us that 50 percent of the roster will turn over. Get ready Buc Fans. Better days are coming!!!!
March 2nd, 2014 at 1:49 pm
Your hero and god of the universe drafted that guy Joe. Not to be mean but you don’t draft a de with one arm shorter then the other. Not a good pick. I hope you know rock star set this club back at least 3 years.
March 2nd, 2014 at 1:51 pm
Or sorry, one of his arms have nerve damage.
March 2nd, 2014 at 1:53 pm
How do you know they are not?
March 2nd, 2014 at 1:59 pm
I think calling the play “solid” is being very generous. They must be trying to pump up some value in hopes of a mid-4th round pick.
I really hope that Licht is on the phone working all 31 other teams trying to get some value draft picks. Any and just about all is available for trade!
March 2nd, 2014 at 2:21 pm
You would think as a new coaching staff they would want to try coaching their new team first before they would trade them away from only what they have seen on film. Clayborn showed athleticism in his rookie year but after his injury he seemed to be relying more on bad technique than raw athleticism. ..but even while his technique had some flaws, we all agree they were hampered by a lot of complicated play calls (stunts). Maybe what he needs at this point, is a simplified scheme and a good coaching staff.
I guess thats what make a good coach… a leader who can untap their players hidden potentials. ..but you have to coach them first before you find out, personally. . Clayborn was a beast in college, he just hasn’t adjusted and unleashed it consistently, yet. We’ve seen flashes but it hasn’t been enough. i.e. Bowers also
March 2nd, 2014 at 2:24 pm
Bowers was always a gamble. I doubt he’ll make the team this year. But I still believe that Clayborn can step up. He’s never had a vet DE showing him the ropes as a player. Bring in one and I bet Clayborn will get better.
March 2nd, 2014 at 2:28 pm
The_Buc_Realist Says
“The Front Office has been telling us that 50 percent of the roster will turn over. Get ready Buc Fans. Better days are coming!!!!”
Please provide a link to verify this claim.
March 2nd, 2014 at 2:38 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
Please provide a link to verify this claim.
http://www.google.com
March 2nd, 2014 at 2:48 pm
A. Claybourn is never going to be a dominant edge rusher. He just doesn’t have that explosive edge rush speed around the edge that we need. Double digit sacks are never going to happen with him.
March 2nd, 2014 at 3:05 pm
Cayborn has not had much help from his other “10”…he has always given MASSIVE effort…..he is a keeper under Lovie……
March 2nd, 2014 at 3:07 pm
Only way I see AC being successful in this defense is as a situational pass rushing DT.
March 2nd, 2014 at 3:10 pm
The best way AC could help this team is if he gets traded for a mid-4th round pick.
March 2nd, 2014 at 3:15 pm
you all are so wrong…
March 2nd, 2014 at 3:17 pm
In his defense he was coming of a knee last year. Lo
March 2nd, 2014 at 3:19 pm
He is solid plays hard and works hArd. I think he provides good depth. I like to think of the 8 d line men all as starters
March 2nd, 2014 at 3:21 pm
I am not convinced that either of these guys can be labeled a bust yet. I would like to see them coached-up in Love and Leslie’s system for one off season. Lovie said you can’t have enough good edge rushers. I also think you have to add a couple of proven or top prospects from free agency and the draft. Michael Bennett had one good season before we let him go. If they prove to be busts or lose out to the competition then trade or cut them. Both had impressive credentials coming out. I think Lovie will want to give them a chance.
March 2nd, 2014 at 3:22 pm
Lovie is very savvy with how he uses the media to strike fear and motivation to players.
March 2nd, 2014 at 3:25 pm
Clayborn is the least of their worries on the defensive line. He always struck me as a high energy, all out guy, who has in two healthy years a combined 13 sacks. Certainly he deserves another year to prove his worth.
March 2nd, 2014 at 3:29 pm
Clayborn = Gives 100% most snaps but is not that great of a player.
Bowers = Has the talent to be very good but is a slouch.
Both suffered from the wonderful stunt-filled schemes of the last regime though…lol. But regardless, I’m pretty sure we can do a lot better at the DE spots.
March 2nd, 2014 at 3:31 pm
I don’t think the book is written on either of them,especially Clayborn. With a better coaching scheme and a healthy off-season , I think Clay can be beastly.
March 2nd, 2014 at 3:32 pm
It seems like over the years we have wasted a lot of our high picks on the def. line. R. Miller, B. Price, and D. Bowers.(also A.Benn/wr) I think A. Clayborn has a high motor and another opportunity here. With they new regime, I hope we draft better.
March 2nd, 2014 at 3:33 pm
And seriously, a fourth rounder? Lovie should know if a team is willing to give up a 2nd for Gaines Adams then surely there’s more to be had for Clayborn.
March 2nd, 2014 at 3:52 pm
Clayborn is better suited for LE but I think cerebral palsy hurts him with arm lenth on that side..love the moter an he is above average against the run..but he cant beat elite LT rushing the passer plus if the back chips, its on his side since teo an bowers well you kno suck.. plus coming off an acl injury he may not have not been able too plant an cut like he wanted so all he could do was bull rush(predictable).. with that bein said let him play out his rookie contract..
March 2nd, 2014 at 4:59 pm
This is what Lovey does- he analyses defensive talent better than anyone we have had on the Bucs in a decade. He will bring in better guys and coach up the guys that are already here.
Do not be surprised if the guys who are kept play much better for Lovey than they did for anyone else. Part of it is coaching. Part of it is an actual eye for defensive talent. And part of it is luring others from other teams that want to be part of what Lovey does.
As a team the Bucs WILL be much improved and by three years out we will have a top 3 defense. Book it. Count on it. it WILL happen. I have seen it before (also a Bears fan).
And on the plus side, it looks like he has figured out the offensive side a bit as well. They are going to draft well, bring i n some good guys and coach up the ones who remain.
March 2nd, 2014 at 5:01 pm
AC in a contract year, with a new scheme under a couple PROVEN professional minds, and he’ll be 100%. We’d be crazy to cut ties with him at this point. Let alone for a 4th rounder and another hole to fill.
Lovie’s statement seemed to be nothing more than a direct message to AC to light a fire under his ass.
For all the trade happy fans on here, Lovie didnt come down here for our offense. He didnt come down here for our cap room. He didnt come down here for our draft position. He came down here because he knows we have the peices in places on Defense for him to work with and turn it into a monster.. And AC is mos def one of those peices.
March 2nd, 2014 at 5:05 pm
@ Espo The Bears wanted to bring in Gaines because they thought Marinelli could fix him. Unfortunately he died not too long after.
Their waste of a GM (Jerry Angelo) at the time traded the 2nd rounder for a guy we were going to run out of town. They would have gotten him for FREE, but Angelo wasted a 2 on him! I was So mad at him for the Bears, but happy for the Bucs… (I ride the line haha! Bears/Bucs fan for life!)
There was NOBODY going to take Adams, so they could have gotten him for free. Word was we were cutting him that next monday, but the bears traded before it got that far. What were the bucs going to do at the time? Say no? hell no! 2nd rd pick it is. Ah well…
The fact that the player died is of course irrelevant to the question- it being from an undiagnosed medical problem, not via drugs or other bad stuff. At the point of the trade he was alive and well of course.
March 2nd, 2014 at 5:08 pm
Mostly because of his own stubbornness Schiano really under-estimated how important Michael Bennett was to our defense…we coulda locked this guy up last season (for peanuts) for 3 or 4 years easily yet Schiano & Co. foolishly elected not to…he’ll be a little more expensive this off-season but I’d love to see Lovie/licht make a run at this guy…
Overall, I think improved coaching will do our very young D linemen currently on the roster some good; with that in mind I’d like to see us add some proven veteran DL to the mix this off-season. Getting Bennett back of’course would be sweet and I also really like Free-agent DT Randy Starks…
March 2nd, 2014 at 5:13 pm
Joe Says:
March 2nd, 2014 at 1:53 pm
You would think these two would spend the entire off season training like mad men to be better for the 2014 season.
How do you know they are not?
THEY HAD BETTER BE, LET’S SEE BOWERS COME IN OVER WEIGHT….AGAIN.
March 2nd, 2014 at 5:32 pm
Lovie and Licht did not come here to give Dominick’s roster second, third and fourth chances. There is a reason that Lovie wanted final say over the 53 man roster.
March 2nd, 2014 at 5:40 pm
Am I the only one around here that doesn’t think Bennett is all that?
March 2nd, 2014 at 5:48 pm
Isn’t it kind of hard to expect a DE who’s being instructed to cover the RB’s on passing plays to have a lot of sacks. Joe has mentioned this a number of times over the last few weeks. I think Claiborne still has a chance. Bowers is just a bust.
March 2nd, 2014 at 5:55 pm
“Lovie and Licht did not come here to give Dominick’s roster second, third and fourth chances. There is a reason that Lovie wanted final say over the 53 man roster.”
Well, Lovie was here wayyy earlier than Licht. (Most likely he was already here unofficially at midseason). And I know how much you hate The Dom, but yes.. Lovie said he came down here because he saw the peices- Dom’s peices- in place that he could build on.
So yeah. He came here for the talent, (Thanks Rock Star!), that were being abused and misused by a small-sack wielding, Belichik-worshipping, Kim Jon Il-minded waste of coaching space.
March 2nd, 2014 at 6:16 pm
I think Lovie’s words are a shot over the bow of certain players to come to camp ready to fight for your life. And he is hoping that most respond affirmatively. I love it that he is taking this tact.
Lovie has called out the O-Line and certain players on the D-Line. But in reality, with 18.8mil in cap space and 5 draft picks (missing a useful 3rd), the Bucs don’t have the where-with-all to fix everything that Lovie would like to fix, particularly with the kind of talent he would like to fix it with.
So some of this is puffing. Unless existing people step up, we find more draft picks, or ways to increase cap space, it’s going to take longer than this year to get to where Lovie wants to be!
March 2nd, 2014 at 6:29 pm
Crazy question, but what about moving Clayborn inside to play DT? He’s good against the run, obviously has speed, and might only have to pack on another couple lbs….
This reasonable?
March 2nd, 2014 at 8:02 pm
@Joe Says:
| You would think these two would spend the entire off season training like
| mad men to be better for the 2014 season.
“…How do you know they are not?”
________________________________________________________________________
I don’t know about Claybourn, but didn’t you report that Bowers admitted to not being ready for the rigors (way out of shape) of Schiano’s training camp?
March 2nd, 2014 at 8:09 pm
If Lovie is as good a defensive coach as some say then I would think he should be able to get a former 1st and a former 2nd round pick (Claiborne/Bowers) playing up to that potential instead of dumping them for late round draft picks before even working with them in camp.
March 2nd, 2014 at 8:43 pm
@NY Buc
He is a good defensive coach. He is not “the miracle worker”. When he walked thru the door in Chicago, the first thing he did was draft defensive tackle with 1st and 2nd round pics. He is not going to try to fix someone else’s mess.
March 2nd, 2014 at 9:21 pm
@NY Buc, I agree…Lovie is not going to just throw them away before seeing what he has to work with.
March 2nd, 2014 at 11:30 pm
Dom tried to sell everyone on the fact that he seen no to use to pay “so called” average talent big money this last off season. When that simply was not the case, quite a few cornerback on this list where very productive that where on the free agent list last year.
(Outside Productive Press Corners)
• Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie | Defensive Back
• Keenan Lewis | Defensive Back
• Antoine Cason | Defensive Back
• Sean Smith | Defensive Back
• Derek Cox | Defensive Back
• Alan Ball | Defensive Back
• Greg Toler | Defensive Back
• Bradley Fletcher | Defensive Back
(Nickel/Slot Corner)
Captain Munnerlyn
One In particular was very productive-Keenan Lewis
*Snaps in Coverage
• Lewis (526)
• Revis (556)
*Targeted
• Lewis (68)
• Revis (63
*Reception Caught
• Lewis (38)
• Revis (34)
*Yards
• Lewis (466)
• Revis (400)
*YAC
• Lewis (109)
• Revis (159)
*TD’s
• Lewis
• Revis
*TD’s
• Lewis-3
• Revis-4
*Int’s
• Lewis (4)
• Revis (2)
Instead he traded a 1st & 3 or 4th this year + gave a guy coming off of major knee surgery the largest contract EVER for a player at his position.
March 3rd, 2014 at 1:49 am
If I remember correctly Bowers was rehabbing last off season from a knee (other knee) injury and the reports were that he transformed his body with a lot more muscle but couldn’t run until just before training camp. That’s hardly sitting around being lazy.
AC gives the Bucs defense the mean streak they need there no way they trade him away for a late round pick.
March 3rd, 2014 at 3:25 am
Grudenite-
You do a lot of running, with a torn Achilles? Stationary Bike?
Just wondering, you sounded so critical
Guy came back from microfractural knee damage, played well, then tore his Achilles- which is a two year recovery.
Pretty easy to critique someone’s work ethic- when you are in the recliner, clicking away in anonymity
March 3rd, 2014 at 3:29 am
Let’s see what Bowers and Clayborn look like- with a healthy offseason behind them. We weren’t the only ones who wanted to draft those two.
Maybe they just need to be healthy, and playing in a real NFL defense.
If we are going to give up on high draft picks, after an injury filled season, in less than 3 years- then we won’t ever field a winning team